The Best of International Hip-Hop
Various Foreigners
Hip-O
US POSITIONING IN GLOBAL HIPHOP MARKETPLACE – CONFIDENTIAL EYES ONLY
As per the committee’s request, we have prepared this report detailing weaknesses and advantages between the US and global hip-hop markets. While American urban music has enjoyed clear leadership status since its inception over 20 years ago, the appropriation and development of hip-hop and other urban styles amongst foreign competitors certainly poses a potential threat to sales of US-based artists. As a reference source, we used the newly-released The Best of International Hip-Hop as a benchmark for analysis.
Our source displays a staggering variety of nationalities, from the expected Western European (France, Austria) to some unusual places (Algeria, Greece, Japan) and some downright unexpected (Croatia, Greenland). There seems to be no correlation, as the chairman suggested, between advancements in hip-hop technique and nuclear weapons capability. It is interesting to note, however, that Israel, long known for its military capacity, hits pretty hard with Shabak Samech and “Levakesh Het Ha Kesh,” using popular topics of personal wealth against a jazzy groove. And you thought Hebrew was no good for rapping. Greece, usually recognized for its warm climes and ancient history, has developed Terror X Crew, whose “H Kobosta” is a gruff and effective deterrent to what the industry calls “fucking-with.”
Perhaps the most interesting example here is Greenland’s Nuuk Posse. “Uteqqipugut” is the name of their track, which translates to “Back In Business.” Even disregarding the implied threat of atomic knowledge in the band’s name, and their willingness to use it in the song title, we are faced with a disarming and highly effective mishmash of funk, rock and hip hop sounds behind (presumably) subversive lyrics and some of the craziest beat-boxing on either side of the Arctic Circle.
Our recommendation: 1. Elevate status to def-con 3; 2. Have the CIA plant moles in international Hip Hop; 3. Endow national programs to rapidly accelerate the pace of Urban style development. It is imperative that the U.S. not fall behind in this crucial field. That is all.
MCA Records, 70 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608; http://www.umusic.com/
